STOLTZFUS FOREST
STOLTZFUS FOREST PRODUCTS Continued from page 25 Stoltzfus Forest Products’ mill is located on a 10-acre property that has a production capacity of 10.5 million board feet through the mill and 3.5 million board feet through the dry kilns. necessary. Jane Morrissiey is responsible for overseeing accounting and the office. The company uses an effective method of cross training its employees. As Benuel Stoltzfus, the general manager, explains, “We break the eighthour day into four two-hour shifts, ensuring that our team members rotate through different positions regularly. Every two hours, they transition to a new role, from head sawyers to re-sawyers and more. It’s a system that keeps everyone on their toes and makes for a well-rounded team.” Stoltzfus Forest Products is equipped with an impressive array of machinery and equipment to support their lumber manufacturing operations. Their arsenal includes the Mellott Mfg. Rosser Head with butt reducer, a Nicholson Ring debarker, a Hurdle Linear Carriage with Lewis Controls, a TS Manufacturing Band Head Rig, a Hurdle Resaw, Pendu Edger, and a Pendu trimmer. They’ve also invested in a Mellott Mfg. grading station, further enhancing their quality control processes. In addition to these, they rely on John Deere wheel loaders and Taylor forklifts, along with Rotochopper grinders for their mulch yard operations. The company boasts three SII Dry Kilns, comprising two 40,000-foot kilns and one 50,000-foot kiln. Notably, they utilize a Newman Planer for plaining needs and a Gillingham-Best Lumber Stacking System. Much of their log and lumber handling equipment is from Mellott Mfg., including the tilt hoist and conveyors. “The new four blade ripsaw has also allowed us to speed up our production on the ripped to width and provide this product to more of our customers,” said Benuel Stoltzfus, Stoltzfus, Forest Products. Some of the company’s notable recent additions is a state-of-the-art Walnut steamer and a four blade ripsaw, both installed in 2023. “So, far from when we put the kilns in, in early 2021 until now, we have been shipping our Walnut out to other companies for our products to be customed steamed. The biggest problem was trucking. Stoltzfus Forest Products’ kiln-dried production. We handled the trucking that shipped this product to another facility to get it steamed and then bring it back, so we ordered a steamer back in the middle of last year to help speed up our production and cut down on costs,” Benuel remarked. “The new four blade ripsaw has also allowed us to speed up our production on the ripped to width and provide this product to more of our customers.” Stoltzfus Forest Products excels because they con- Please turn the page See you there! 2024 AHMI Annual Meeting The Hammock Beach Resort | Palm Coast, FL FEBRUARY 21-25, 2024 Cooper Machines are designed to get the most from every log, slab and board that goes through the mill. We offer specialized equipment designed to fit your needs! Call us today for the best equipment options for your mill. From Merchandising and Debarking Systems to Edgers to Sorting Systems - we have great solutions for hardwoods. 478-252-5885 | info@coopermachine.com | CooperMachine.com bdahn@hhp-inc.com • lumbersales@hhp-inc.com 14 Buxton Industrial Drive, PO Box 489, Henniker NH 03242 603-428-3298 www.hhp-inc.com New HHP logo... Same High Quality HHP, INC. World Class Northern Hardwoods Specializing in 4/4 & 5/4 Production of Red Oak • Ash • Hard & Soft Maple • Yellow Birch Premium Quality Northern Hardwoods Sawmill • Kilns • Export Prep • Container Loading 13 Million Board Feet Annual Production 42 FEBRUARY 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry www.RealAmericanHardwood.com/industry FEBRUARY 2024 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 43
